Matthysse-Dallas Presser Heats Up

Feeling slighted, Team Dallas looks to play role of spoiler

By Anthony Springer Jr.
Photos: Mary Ann Owen

If you were unfamiliar with the events leading up to Saturday’s WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Champion showdown between champion Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 30 KOs) and Mike “The Silent Assassin” Dallas Jr. (19-2-1, 8 KOs), it’d be easy to get the fighters’ roles mixed up.

At Thursday’s final press conference, Matthysse was a fan of few words, spending no more than a minute at the podium during his time to talk.

“I’m in great shape and I am ready to fight,” Matthysse stated. “What else can I say? Bring it on. This is a very important fight for me not only to win, but to look good.”

“The Silent Assassin,” on the other hand sounded like a man who had a full fight camp when it was his turn, not a man taking a short notice bout.

“It’s big moments like this when you have to step up,” said Dallas Jr. “I’m ready to go. Everybody dreams to be a world champion. It’s every boxer’s goal. I have the desire and ambition. The only thing on my mind is getting a win. I respect this fighter. He is strong and tough, but I am ready to prove and show to everybody what I can do.”

If there’s a man who wants the W more than Dallas Jr. himself, it’s Goosen Tutor matchmaker Tom Brown. While getting a fighter’s real thoughts on fight week is next to impossible, if Matthysse needed a fire lit for motivation, Brown brought the lighter and gasoline.

“We keep hearing Danny Garcia this and that and how Matthysse is going too New York in a couple weeks to challenge him,” Brown said, alluding to a potential next fight for Matthysse. “We feel like ‘The Silent Assassin’ is going to make a very loud statement Saturday night.”

Mario Arano, Matthysse’s co-promoter later stated that his fighter is not overlooking the challenge in front of him. With so much talk of what’s to come next for the power puncher, its doubtful Team Dallas was placated by the statement.